There is no other way to say it. Extremism is rising as our country grows more polarized. Church shootings. Synagogue desecration. Muslim and Sikh youth harassed. Equally troubling are the countless other injustices that fail to make the headlines. It can feel unsurmountable, but there is hope.

Over two years ago, we launched Tanenbaum’s Combating Extremism campaign to get us talking and listening to one another—and especially to those whose beliefs and ideologies differ from our own. Because that is where the hope lies. In each of us.

This means taking responsibility for what we know—and what we don’t. And it means finding out the real facts.

That’s why our Combating Extremism resources are designed to counter misinformation and/or our lack of information about some of today’s most pressing and complex religion-related issues. So that our conversations are based on accurate, objective facts.

To help you share—and discuss—what you learn from these resources in positive ways, Tanenbaum created a “How To” guide for this installment of Combating Extremism:

Based on Tanenbaum’s 25 years of work, we know that conversations are critical to bridging divides, which can help prevent individuals from feeling marginalized—a risk factor believed to increase some people’s susceptibility to extremist ideology.

Join us in our efforts to stop hate and Combat Extremism. Let’s get talking!

With an open heart—and open ears,

Joyce S. Dubensky
CEO, Tanenbaum

P.S. Whether you convene a formal conversation, engage in an off-the-cuff discussion with family, friends, or colleagues, or simply review and/or pass along Tanenbaum’s Combating Extremism resources on social media or in person, we encourage you to send an email to combatingextremism@tanenbaum.org and let us know. Please include stories that highlight how your ideas or behavior (or those of other participants) shifted, if available, as a result.

P.P.S. When you support Tanenbaum, you help us in the battle for a world where people across beliefs live side by side, free from extremism, persecution and hate.

https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Tanenbaum25YrLogo_WEBSITE-02-03-1030x249.png00Nicole Margarettenhttps://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Tanenbaum25YrLogo_WEBSITE-02-03-1030x249.pngNicole Margaretten2018-04-11 10:08:592018-04-11 10:08:59The Right Way to Talk about Extremism & Religion

Today is International Women’s Day! Celebrated for over 100 years, this honorary day spotlights achievements of women around the world and recognizes our ongoing need for political, economic and social equality.

Please join in me in honoring women worldwide by reading and sharing two of Tanenbaum’s Combating Extremism resources that highlight the bravery, power and value of women across traditions:

Women Who Pursue Peace and Justice: A resource sheet on the efforts of courageous, religiously-driven women in armed conflicts and in programs Combating Violent Extremism.

One of the mantras Tanenbaum lives by, is Peace is Possible. Today we add, Equality is Possible!

Joyce S. Dubensky
CEO

P.S. I encourage you to take one step further by sharing our resources on social media, using the hashtag #IWD2018, and by following and retweeting @JoyceDubensky and @TanenbaumCenter to make an even wider impact!

January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau from the Nazis 73 years ago. And this year’s theme is “The power of words.”

So, isn’t it time to ask:

How powerful would it be, if we really meant the words, “Never Again”?

View our resource to see how the horrors of the past are repeating today. Together, let’s vow to make Never Again real — we can’t afford not to.

https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Then-and-Now.jpg17173000Nicole Margarettenhttps://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Tanenbaum25YrLogo_WEBSITE-02-03-1030x249.pngNicole Margaretten2018-01-26 15:52:282018-01-26 16:36:59Never Again - It's Time We Meant It

Yesterday was #givingtuesday. And I’m sure you were bombarded with worthy causes asking for your support. To those of you who gave to make the world a better place—in whatever way you chose to do so—we say thanks.

In honor of what we call #givebackwednesday, I want to share our tips for Respectful Communication. At a time when people are talking about (and worried about) conversations at upcoming holiday dinners, great communication is one of the best gifts you can share—with family, neighbors and colleagues.